Vatn Systems 公司正在测试其 Skelmir S12 级自主水下载具（AUV），这款无人潜艇可下潜至 1000 英尺，并能在水下自主航行 125 至 200 海里。S12 能够搭载用于侦察的摄影机和声纳设备，以及小型弹头，其起价仅约数十万美元，展现出极高的成本效益。

有别于造价高达 400 万美元的传统精密武器（如 Mk-48 鱼雷），Vatn 致力于开发「可消耗」的低成本水下无人机，使其更适合用于诱饵、扫雷或攻击低价值目标。这种策略不仅能保留昂贵武器用于关键任务，也能在如同荷莫兹海峡等争议水域中，提供保护商业航线的经济方案。

为了应对现代战争的快速变化，Vatn 采用了简化的供应链，并利用现有的军用 Android 生态系统作为控制介面以降低开发成本。该公司近期已获得资金挹注并设立新工厂，目标是实现年产 2000 艘水下无人机的产能，借由大幅缩短制造与迭代时间来反制敌方的非对称威胁。

Vatn Systems is currently testing its Skelmir S12-class autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), which can dive to 1,000 feet and navigate independently for 125 to 200 nautical miles. Capable of carrying surveillance cameras, sonar equipment, and small warheads, the S12 starts in the mid-six-figure price range, demonstrating exceptional cost efficiency.

In contrast to traditional, exquisite weapons like the $4 million Mk-48 torpedo, Vatn focuses on developing low-cost, attritable underwater drones that are better suited for decoy missions, mine-hunting, or targeting lower-value assets. This approach preserves expensive munitions for critical operations while providing an economical solution to protect commercial shipping lanes in contested waters such as the Strait of Hormuz.

To counter the rapid pace of modern warfare, Vatn utilizes a simplified supply chain and leverages an existing military Android ecosystem for its control interface, significantly reducing development costs. Backed by recent funding and a new factory, the company aims to produce 2,000 AUVs annually, utilizing drastically shortened manufacturing and iteration cycles to counter asymmetric threats from adversaries.